Mental Health Crisis Services Expand in Northeast Tennessee

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities announces the opening of a crisis stabilization unit in Johnson City, Tenn. The CSU will provide 24-hour, seven days a week, short-term stabilization services for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues and serve residents of 10 counties including Carter, Cocke, Green, Hancock, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington, and Sullivan. Frontier Health will operate the first CSU in Northeast Tennessee and one of seven across the State.

 

Crisis stabilization units provide assessment, triage, medication management, and group and individual therapy as well as an opportunity for clients to work with a wellness recovery consumer specialist. CSUs are cost effective by offering intensive, 24-hour mental health treatment in a less restrictive setting than a psychiatric hospital or other treatment resource.

 

“It is important that individuals have appropriate care in the least restrictive environment possible,” stated TDMHDD Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts. “CSU’s are structured to stabilize individuals experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues and strengthen clients’ own coping skills while allowing them to remain in the community close to their essential support system.”

 

“A main goal of the CSU is to divert clients, when clinically appropriate, from psychiatric inpatient hospitalizations and unnecessary incarcerations stemming from their behavioral health conditions,” said Cindra Jones, TDMHDD Director of Crisis Services. “The excellent staff of Frontier is highly trained and qualified and will provide the best care possible to residents of upper east Tennessee in need of these crucial services.”

 

Along with Johnson City, there are currently crisis stabilization units operating in Nashville, Chattanooga, Cookeville, Jackson, Knoxville and Memphis.

 

Frontier Health’s CSU is located at 200 West Fairview Avenue in Johnson City and began providing services on April 20, 2009. 

 

For more information on CSU’s or additional mental health information, please contact TDMHDD’s Office of Communications at (615) 253-4812 or visit www.tn.gov/mental.

 

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